Pear shaped tallow hole

[smallpatch]

Building another Southern gun, and am curious about how to drill those pear shaped holes I've seen on some. 
I think they're kinda cool looking.

Thanks in advance.

[P.Bigham]

I’d use a foster bit to drill hole then shape with a gouge if that’s what you have in mind

[Joe Schell]

It this what you had in mind? I did this one like Paul said, drilled a round hole then made a ramp to the bottom with a gouge.

[Joe Schell]

This picture shows better how the back slopes down to the bottom of the round hole

[smallpatch]

Joe,
That is exactly what I was thinking about.  I Guess I was making it too complicated. 
I was thinking about a spoon bit, so the hole is round at the bottom as well.
It's hard to tell from the photos..... what size was the original drill bit?
Thank you Sir.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I'd just trace a spoon for the shape, and googe away.

[rich pierce]

Maybe just sharpen and case harden a spoon!  Ok enough silliness.

[Joe Schell]

On that rifle i used a 3/4" bit.
I drill the hole then roughly draw the area i want gouged out, after the gouge i clean the ramp up with a rat tail file. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes.

[Dennis Glazener]

I drill my hole on an angle. I start with a smaller bit and keep on increasing the size until its what I want, usually 3/4" or 7/8" then shape it like Joe does. The reason I do mind this way is I build mostly Gillespie's and it appears that is the way they did theirs.

BTW I would be eager to know of any originals other than one of the Gillespie's that did their grease holes this way.
Dennis

[davebozell]

I used a spoon bit for the one I installed in my Gillespie.  It was about 7/8" diameter.  I started drilling straight into the stock and then rotated the bit toward the lock.  It was pretty scary to drill, but I think it came out very well.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .... This'uns about 40years old,... I added the taller hole after I got her,... looked plumb nekkid without one,...  cut hole in like the other boys said,... stock was already finished so I just scorched the hole lightly, sealed with linseed oil and added taller,...best wishes,... regards,  Cades Cove Fiddler

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... Dennis,... on page 52 of Dave Byrd's " Greasy Cove" book on Unicoi Co., guns, is a good picture of an Isreal McInturff rifle with an identical tallow hole to the Matthew Gillespie gun in the National Park collection which is on display in Townsend,....... I sometimes wonder if the "taller-hole" was added later by the owner,...

[Marcruger]

Those southern common-man rifles just look right with the tallow hole to my eye.  I especially like the spoon shaped ones.  They are as eye-catchingly appropriate as a patchbox, and I'll wager a good bit easier to do too.  Some fine looking beauties shown in this thread.  God Bless, Marc

[Dennis Glazener]

CCF,
Yes now I remember it, had forgotten about it. I can't find my copy of David Byrd's Greasy Cove book (got to build a bigger book case)! I should have the KRA CD and in day or two and I will look at it again.
Dennis

... Dennis,... on page 52 of Dave Byrd's " Greasy Cove" book on Unicoi Co., guns, is a good picture of an Isreal McInturff rifle with an identical tallow hole to the Matthew Gillespie gun in the National Park collection which is on display in Townsend,....... I sometimes wonder if the "taller-hole" was added later by the owner,...